By John Healy of Healy Insurances

The number of uninsured cars on Irish roads continues to grow.

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The Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) carried out new research that showed one in every 12 vehicles was driving without insurance in 2022.

According to MIBI, there are now more than 32,000 additional uninsured vehicles on Irish roads since 2020.

Under Irish law, the penalties for vehicles found without valid insurance include An Garda Síochána having the power to seize the vehicle on the spot, as well as other significant penalties such as an automatic court appearance, five penalty points and a substantial fine.

MIBI, a not for profit organisation established to compensate victims of road traffic accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles, undertook this research by contrasting the number of private motor vehicle owners paying motor taxes with the number of vehicles who have active insurance policies.

“Law abiding motorists won’t be happy to see these figures and to look at the growing trend of uninsured driving," David Fitzgerald, CEO of the MIBI, said.

"If the current trend were to continue then we are likely to pass 200,000 uninsured vehicles in the next 12 – 18 months unless significant action is taken.”

So what can be done to tackle this issue?

Well the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID) is on the horizon for many years. The data should allow An Garda Síochána to identify uninsured drivers using their ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) device without having to leave their patrol car.

The legislation is still working its way through the Oireachtas.

According to MIBI, honest motorists are paying for the victims of people driving without insurance. It is estimated that approximately €35 of each motor insurance policy in the State is paying for uninsured drivers.
Granted the database is a huge piece of work, but it is long overdue at this stage.